Navigating “gray zone” competition and conflict

Where does digital assault end and war begin? We see China and the United States with the largest economies in the world engaged in subtle hegemonic rivalry and near deadly competition with the aim of securing allies in the Pacific Basin. On the European continent, Russia is using hybrid warfare in incremental phases to threaten its neighbors in an effort to restore elements of the former Soviet system. The coalescing alliance between China and Russia has both engaged in activities within a "Gray Zone" just short of open warfare.